Kawasaki has launched the W800 Street in India at Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India). This is the second retro motorcycle from the Japanese manufacturer after the Z900RS. Just like the Ninja ZX-6R and the Versys 1000, India will get a limited number of bikes. The deliveries of the bike is expected to begin from August 2019. The W800 Street will go up against the likes of the Triumph Street Twin and the Ducati Scrambler.
The Kawasaki W800 Street gets an air-cooled, 773cc, SOHC-equipped parallel-twin engine with a 5-speed transmission. Being a ‘true classic’ rather than a retro-styled motorcycle, the engine is in a relatively unstressed state of tune and makes a humble 47.5bhp at 6,500rpm and 62.9Nm at 4,800rpm despite the large displacement.
The W800 gets a LED headlight, an assist and slip clutch and adjustable clutch and brake levers. The instrument cluster is retro-styled, with two analogue dials for the speedometer and tachometer, however, gets a multifunctional LCD screen. However, it misses out on a fuel indicator and gets a reserve-fuel light only.
The styling of the W800 Street is inspired from the original 1966 W1. The design is minimalist and retro, with a short fenders and smooth, oval tank like a typical classic bike. However, Kawasaki chose to black-out the engine and other bits after 2018, ditching the chrome treatment. Suspension duties are handled by 41mm telescopic forks and twin shock absorbers. A 320mm disc at the front and a 270mm disc at the rear take care of braking. The W800 Street will be available only in one shade called Metallic Flat spark black/Metallic Matte Graphite grey
At Rs 7.99 lakh, the Kawasaki W800 Street, it rivals the Triumph Street Twin (Rs 7.45 lakh) and the Ducati Scrambler Icon (Rs 7.89 lakh), both of which are more powerful than the W800. The W800 has the same outputs as the Royal Enfield Interceptor, which is significantly more affordable.